The Landscape of Competency-Based Education: Enrollments, Demographics, and Affordability - Competency-based education (CBE), in which credit is given on the basis of learning rather than hours, is gaining traction. Learning may be determined by prior learning assessments or by progressing toward a degree as students demonstrate mastery. Whether or not CBE programs are less expensive is undetermined, but if the program is time-based, that is the student pays for time and is able to progress at his or her own speed, that may drive the cost down. (Robert Kelchen, AEI, January 2015)...

Competency-Based Education as a Potential Strategy to Increase Learning and Lower Costs - Advocates of competency-based education argue that with traditional post-secondary education, "Time is fixed, while learning is variable." This paper explores the possibility that competency-based systems could increase learning and lower costs to students and institutions alike. Authors look at Western Governors University, Southern New Hampshire and the University of Wisconsin System. They caution systems considering implementation that they'll require startup dollars and considerable faculty buy-in. (Stephen R. Porter and Kevin Reilly, HCM Strategists, July 2014)...